Mixture for detoxification of contaminated soil

Abstract

A method and apparatus for safely handling and detoxification of contaminated soil substantially saturated with PH contaminants such as fuel and petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed which treats the contaminated soil with an additive consisting of low grade humic acid and lime that is mixed with the soil in the approximate ratio of nine parts soil to one part of additive. The treatment involves digging a trench while collecting toxic soil, reducing particle size to a fine silt or sand-like particle size followed by introducing the additive for mixing in a tumbler and, finally, discharge of the thoroughly covered additive and encapsulated toxic soil particles into the previously dug trench.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In the treatment of a quantity of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil particles saturated with toxic components in surface exposure of said particles, the improvement which comprises the combination of: a protective mixture chemically reactive with said hydrocarbon contaminated soil particles, consisting of humic acid and lime having a ratio of 9:1 (contaminated soil to said mixture);   said protective mixture surrounding each particle to encase said toxic components by covering the entire external surface of each particle in bonded chemical fixation relationship therewith so as to interfere with release of said toxic components from said particle;   said humic acid and lime mixture is dry and chemically attaches to each particle external surface to provide an encapsulating coating;   said protective mixture includes a soil separate selected from; a. clay   b. glass   c. silt sand.